The Knoxville Boys Basketball Squad gave Martensdale-St. Mary’s all it could handle last night but in the end, the Blue Devils remained unbeaten with a 53-47 win over the Panthers heard live on 95.3 KNIA. It was tough to score for both teams in the first half, as Martensdale-St. Mary’s led 20-14 at the halftime break, limiting Knoxville to just 20% shooting from the field. The Blue Devils came out firing in the second half, nailing three-three point shots and bumping the lead to 15 before Knoxville went on a 16-2 run to end the third quarter to take a one point lead into the final eight minutes. However, Martensdale-St. Mary’s made plays down the stretch and hit enough free throws to ice the game. Knoxville Senior Kieren Nichols told KNIA/KRLS Sports it boiled down to not making plays when it counted the most that cost his team the win.

Nichols:
“Really started out not like we wanted to, and even worse in the second half, and we clawed back and had a chance to win it at the end, but in my opinion we handed it to them.”

Nichols scored 22 points to lead Knoxville, none of which were by the three point shot as he is still tied with former Panther Brad Davis for the most three point shots made in school history. His next chance will be Thursday when Knoxville travels to Bondurant-Farrar. You can also hear the full interview with Nichols on tonight’s Radio Sports Page on KNIA/KRLS at 6:00. Knoxville drops to 11-6 on the season. Meanwhile in Fairfield, the Knoxville girls were unable to get going from the start and fell to the Trojans 56-37. Maggie Wilkins was the only Panther in double figures with 16. The girls finish the regular season at 14-5 and will host Chariton in a class 3A regional opener on Saturday.